Share your memories of Leighton House
Leighton House's public call out wants you!
100 Years of...
2026 marks a significant milestone in the history of Leighton House, as we celebrate 100 years since it first opened as a public museum, under the governance of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The centenary will inspire a diverse programme of exhibitions, special events and community initiatives, launching in October 2025 with the ambition to deepen understanding of Leighton House’s historical significance and continuing cultural relevance.
Public Call Out
Inclusivity and participation is at the heart of 100 Years of Leighton House. In the last century, members of the public have explored and experienced the building in many different ways, from occasional passers by to lifelong visitors. The House has played a role in different stages of people’s lives from childhood visits to having work included in exhibitions, to concerts, family parties, and wedding receptions.
If you are one of them, we would like to hear from you! Leighton House is on a mission to collate material and personal memories dating from 1926 to 2025. We are looking for material involving the building’s various uses throughout that time - from a children’s library in the 1950s to the location of the Theatre Museum, as well as the museum's permanent collection and artworks / artists showcased throughout the years.
What we are looking for: Your memories and recollections, stories and anecdotes!
We are looking for material in either paper or digital form. This might include:
- Material relating to Leighton House’s programme of exhibitions and the artists involved. For example, press articles, interviews, catalogues, or books.
- Material featuring special events at Leighton House such as private parties or weddings. For example, photographs, invitations, letter correspondence, or menus.
- Material featuring public events at Leighton House. For example, photographs with participants / attendees, what’s on brochures, flyers, posters, or tickets.
- Material featuring a learning experience at Leighton House. For example, school trips, visiting with family as a child, using the children’s library, or exhibiting as part of the Kensington and Chelsea Schools Art competition...
- Personal testimonials, recorded via audio or video files of up to 60 seconds, summarising your experience and why it has played a significant role in your life.
- Photographs of the house and its interiors - the older the better.
- All materials should be dated from 1926 to 2025.
How to take part
Please fill in the Public Call Submission Form, including a clear description of the material (s) you would like to share. Please note that paper forms will be available from the Welcome Desk at Leighton House.
The museum team will carefully review all the submissions and will select those contributions which they like to study further, aiming to include them in the 'Centenary Archive' and related projects.
A decision will be made by Monday 8 September and call out participants will be contacted accordingly.
Please submit by 31 August 2025.
“Leighton House is one of my favourite places in London to visit, not only is it a beautiful building but has some of the most wonderful art works and walking around this amazing place is always a magical experience, which I encourage everyone to do at least once”